Game Of Thrones' First Episode Hid A Brilliant Detail That Teased Jon Snow Or Bran Stark Would Become King

After years of theories and debate, Game of Thrones' series finale delivered one of the show's most shocking twists: Bran Stark became Westeros' new king. It had always been anticipated that Game of Thrones' ending would see a new ruler in place - with or without the Iron Throne - but few would've guessed it'd be Bran. Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen were the obvious candidates, but even behind them, dark-horses such as Sansa Stark and Tyrion Lannister seemed more plausible.

In the end, it was the story of "Bran the Broken" that proved to be enough to make him the new ruler of what had been the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. It was and remains a controversial choice, and one of several factors as to why Game of Thrones season 8 faced such a backlash. And yet, it's also a decision that came from A Song of Ice and Fire author George R.R. Martin, and one that, at least with hindsight, there were some signs of from the very beginning.

Why Bran Stark Became King Instead Of Jon Snow

Jon Snow's Ending Made More Sense Than Him Being King

While the plot mechanics found a way to prevent Jon becoming Westeros' new king in Game of Thrones - killing the current queen, whom he had bent the knee to, certainly hindered his prospects - the general direction of his story had made it a little less likely anyway. That's not just because he was too obvious, and would've been too much a copy of Lord of the Rings' Aragorn (the secret heir emerges and takes the throne after winning the great battle), though those are factors.

The Kings & Queens Who Sat On The Iron Throne In Game Of Thrones
Name	Reign
King Robert I Baratheon	281–298 AC
King Joffrey I Baratheon	298–301 AC
King Tommen I Baratheon	301–303 AC
Queen Cersei I Lannister	303–305

There are issues with Bran becoming king and how the show handled his character, but I do think Jon's ending was better for him not assuming control of Westeros. It's a subversion of a common fantasy trope, but not done just for the sake of avoiding expectations. Instead, it's more powerful this way: a bittersweet fate as he goes back to a place he'd felt he always belonged, but carrying a huge amount of guilt and trauma, with scars both literal and figurative. To carry on with the LOTR comparisons, he was, in fact, Frodo - having borne great weight, he now gets to find peace.

Jon had already, reluctantly, been made a king once (in the North), lessening the narrative and thematic value of him doing so again.

Jon not wanting the Iron Throne is often used to highlight why he'd be a good fit for it, as those who seek to rule are often ill-equipped to do so. But Jon had already, reluctantly, been made a king once (in the North), lessening the narrative and thematic value of him doing so again. And, for all he'd have been a good king, he would simply be a continuation of 300 years of history: a Targaryen on the Iron Throne, who could have a son who succeeds him.

Bran is similar to Jon in some ways: he absolutely fits with Martin's love of "cripples, bastards, and broken things." He has no desire to rule, but accepts the duty, and may even be positioned to be a better leader, thanks to being the Three-Eyed Raven. If knowledge is power, then Bran is unmatched.

Game Of Thrones' Pilot Set Up Jon Or Bran Becoming King

"Winter Is Coming" Had A Subtle Tease

In a sense, this choice between Jon Snow and Bran Stark, while not one overtly made in the show's finale, had been set up by its very first episode. When Ned Stark is executing Will, the deserter from the Night's Watch, the camera quite notably pans to Bran and Jon watching on as Ned says the words "King of the Andals and the First Men."

Because Jon grew to become the main character, and there was a large degree of expectation he'd end up on the Iron Throne, the focus was generally upon him in this scene. Looking back at it now, though, it at least works in hindsight as a tease that it would be one of these two. It's unclear whether this was intentional: as per Vanity Fair, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss had a meeting with Martin in 2013 to discuss the broad strokes of where his story would end, due to fears of overtaking the books (which were proved right).

Similarly, Bran is the first main character we see on screen, after the cold open.

The pilot obviously pre-dates that, but it doesn't necessarily mean they weren't aware it would be one of the two. Even if not intentional, though, it's a detail that adds to the story on rewatch and works as a kind of bait-and-switch. Jon himself is obvious because of the tropes that exist and the very fact he's not supposed to be obvious at all, since he's ostensibly a bastard. But since everyone looks at Jon with that expectation, it works to hide Bran next to him. Even Jon's words, telling him to not look away, are preparing him for the hard choices of ruling.

Similarly, Bran is the first main character we see on screen, after the cold open. This mirrors Martin's A Game of Thrones where, after the Prologue, he is the first POV character we follow. It doesn't scream he'll be king, but it does plainly tell us he will be very important.

Jon Snow Did Still Become King, In A Way

His Ending Still Makes Him A Leader

Bran Stark is the new King of the Andals and the First Men, but while Jon Snow does not officially hold any titles, he could be seen in a similar light. As Jon goes back North of the Wall in Game of Thrones' finale, it's clear he will - at least alongside Tormund - be a leader of the free folk. The wildlings have the blood of the First Men in them as much as anybody in Westeros (and more than most), and so Jon is still technically fulfilling that part of the title, at least (similar could also be said for Sansa becoming Queen in the North).

Ultimately, Jon's ending feels more fitting, and more in-keeping with the show's story. Indeed, him becoming king almost feels too neat a conclusion. Bran should've had more character development before becoming king, for sure, both in season 8 and before it. But he does make sense as a final ruler in Game of Thrones, as a means of upending the endless cycle of violence and power that had accompanied the Iron Throne, with "Bran the Broken" being the one to break the wheel.